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Monday, 25 August 2014

Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel

I knew of Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel but
when I saw a book about it in the library I got it out because I realised that
my knowledge about it was so superficial as to be almost useless.

What I
found was so interesting that I thought I would share some of it with you.I have chosen pics which don't involve nudes
(so that limited the choices a bit since the work is chock full of them).

Michelangelo
(with a few assistants) completed the painting of the Sistine Chapel over 500
years ago.Needless to say there has had
to be extensive restoration work over the years.The Sistine Chapel is where the cardinals
meet to elect new popes.

This became
Michelangelo's most famous work (with a couple of other masterpieces as close
seconds).The irony is that Michelangelo
didn't want to do it – he refused numerous times until the Pope insisted he do
it.He saw himself as a sculptor rather
than a painter first and foremost.His
great sculptures include The Pieta
and David.

Unlike many
other famous artists Michelangelo became famous and wealthy in his own
lifetime.

Michelangelo
didn't paint the ceiling lying down as is often thought – he was able to stand
up on a platform to do it although he suffered badly with a cricked neck.

So what was
the subject of the painting on the ceiling?It is huge in scope covering almost all of the Old Testament including
Adam & Eve, Noah etc.In fact a
depiction of Eve is right at the dead centre of the ceiling.He also painted heaps of prophets and sibyls.

I saw this
great work as a child but now I know a bit more about it – it would be great to
see it in the flesh again.